Municipal Judge Named to Superior Court

SANTA ANA — Orange County Municipal Court Judge John M. Watson will be elevated to the Superior Court, the governor's office announced Thursday.

Watson, 46, of Huntington Beach was a Los Angeles County prosecutor for 19 years. He was appointed last year by Gov. George Deukmejian to Harbor Judicial District Municipal Court in Newport Beach. Watson will replace Judge David G. Sills, who was recently named to the 4th District Court of Appeal.

Reached in his courtroom Thursday, Watson said he was "grateful" for the honor. The judge said he is in the midst of a jury trial but expected to assume his Superior Court duties beginning next week.

A graduate of UCLA Law School, Watson is also a member of the California Bar Judges Assn. His salary as a Superior Court judge will be $94,344.